Are you intellectually curious and socially engaged? If so, you’ll find the diversity and scope of the disciplines of psychology and sociology rewarding – and their dynamic methods of enquiry will offer you the academic opportunity you want.
Our courses
We offer the following undergraduate courses:
Why QMU?
Psychology and sociology are two exciting and relevant disciplines that offer you the opportunity to realise your potential as a learner and to develop critical and evaluative thinking skills. At QMU, you’ll explore how psychology and sociology contribute to how we understand psycho-social events and phenomena occurring in our everyday lives and how each profession interacts with society and communities.
At QMU, you’ll find a challenging and stimulating environment which will help you hone the intellectual and professional edge needed for working with and for today’s diverse communities. Our courses are designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and experience you need to engage with a wide range of real-world settings and applications.
We offer a BSc (Hons) Psychology, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society and BSc (Hons) Psychology and Sociology. We also offer a BSc (Hons) Sociology. These courses offer a fully integrated learning experience with student-centred modules that explore a wide range of topics.
As well as learning how and why these disciplines are vital for 21st-century life, you’ll explore their historical origins, development and limitations. While developing detailed and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of specialist areas of psychology and sociology, you’ll explore practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis applied in each of the disciplines. You will also engage with debates about the relevance and value of our disciplines for different communities and publics.
Our academic team is passionate about both research and professional activity, using each to inform our teaching and provide a learning environment which is challenging and relevant. Our students have opportunities to gain hands-on experience by working directly with us on our research or by engaging with our networks and their interface with communities.
Our approach to learning and teaching
You’ll learn through a range of methods including traditional lectures, research seminars, workshops, student-led sessions and self-directed learning. The focus is on learning how to acquire and utilise knowledge for yourself, through identifying existing knowledge as well as discovering new knowledge.
Our courses enhance a wide range of transferable skills that will open up an array of job options. You will be supported to improve your interpersonal and presentation skills, develop effective reading and writing skills, engage in analytical thinking and critical reflection, as well as focus on the development of your research skills. You will also develop skills in information retrieval, practical investigation, data collection and analysis – as well as learn how to present your ideas for a range of audiences.
You will be assessed via traditional exams and essays, but also through scientific reports, critical reviews, and live multimedia presentations and poster presentations. In the later stages of your course, you will be able to develop an emerging area of expertise to give you an edge in future employment or study.
Research-informed teaching
Our psychology and sociology team are actively involved in a range of research interests (see the Psychology and Sociology pages of our website for details). Our research activities employ diverse methodologies and the team collaborates with a number of national and international universities and partners. We are engaged in the impact and applications of our work to real-world contexts and 21st-century issues and many of our research undertakings involve collaborations with NGOs, humanitarian, social enterprise and community groups.
Career prospects
Our courses have a strong employability focus and we’ll fully support you in building your employability skills and becoming job market-ready. Around 20% of psychology graduates choose to become professional psychologists and undertake further academic study. Other graduates have gone on to forge rewarding careers in education, social services, industry, marketing, government agencies and the media. Many psychology and sociology graduates find work in areas such as social and community work, consumer and social research, marketing, education and human resource management.
Find out more information on how to apply for a course at QMU.
